Head Toward Marriage

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God, by His Son and through His Holy Spirit, is our answer. Get biblical single and couple support here.

Do You Know Your Love Language?

Discover what makes you feel most loved when you take the Love Language Test. Once you know your love language (and your spouses), you can start to break down communication walls. Go ahead, take the test, and encourage your spouse to take it too! If you need a little extra help, we can help you through the dialouge process once you get your results.

Did You Know Your Temperament Affects Your Relationships?

Based on your temperament type, you are naturally inclined to certain behaviors. When you discover your temperament you can better understand yourself, and why you act the way you do, in order to target challenge areas with greater specificity. Which temperament are you? Find out today, so you can better relate with yourself and others.

Watch this new video segment series: Answers For Married Couples, presented by Love-Life, Inc. Eshon Burgundy and Zara Hairston will answer your questions about marriage in 3 mins or less—monthly! Subscribe to the YouTube channel for video notifications, and send questions to: questions@love-life-inc.com for a chance to see you question featured.

Watch the first of many questions answered in this new video segment series: Answers For Married Couples, presented by Love-Life, Inc. Eshon Burgundy and Zara Hairston will answer your questions about marriage in 3 mins or less—monthly! Subscribe to the YouTube channel for video notifications, and send questions to: questions@love-life-inc.com for a chance to see you question featured.

Time ticks. Days pass. Friends hook up. You? Still single. Even though it’s your choice to remain single, instances occur when you feel disheartened. Those feelings sometimes stir up questions about the future of your life and the length of your singleness. “Is there somebody for me?” “How long before that perfect person comes my way?” Those kinds of thoughts repeat themselves—mostly centered on doubt.

Barely keeping up with partially paid bills and piling debts can sometimes invite bull-dog debt collectors—how overwhelming for the loving husband and father. In such situations, it is easy to feel powerless. Some men give up and lose hope while others pursue illegal activity to combat the financial strain, but neither result well. So what does a man do when he is drowning in lack with a family who depends on him to fix it?

"Just get over it, and move on." Don't you find it insensitive when wounded by betrayal and someone responds with that cliche solution? Especially since it involves such serious work to restore trust. If you are struggling to trust someone again, know that your pain is valid. Furthermore, the betrayer must work towards restoration too. However, only you can decide when trust has been restored.

Couples argue about everything from children and housework to money and sex—even the best marriage counselors and love guru’s have conflict about these same things in their own relationships. Conflict-free relationships do not exist, so it’s no cause for alarm if you and your mate have arguments. The danger, however, is when those arguments become destructive.

If you could only have one what would you choose: love or respect? Research data in Shaunti Feldhahn’s book, “For Women Only,” concludes that most men choose respect while most women prefer love. Ironically, many couples don’t even recognize their spouse’s primary need, and think sex, money or in-law problems keep them from having a good marriage. Emerson and Sarah Eggerichs of Love and Respect Ministries have decoded though, that the state of any marriage has much to do with recognizing certain cycles that involve love and respect.

Finding an official definition of “in love” on the web came close to non-existent despite the fact that the Google AdWords Keyword Tool confirms it’s searched over seven million times a month globally. Why, when it’s such a common belief that the two terms differ?

A wife must submit to her husband as long as it doesn’t dishonor God (Mark 12:29-30, Ephesians 5:33). Complications show up when she doesn't honor him, and even science agrees. A psychological study by Dale Miller shows that anger and aggression come from feeling disrespect more than anything. A husband might not recognize how he can help his wife respect him if he ignores Ephesians 5:25, where God instructs husbands to love their wives like Christ loved the church (that’s some serious love), but only a love like that could help eliminate disrespect, and promote his wife's desire to submit to him.

Nearly 50 percent of married couples get divorced. A variety of factors contribute to this overwhelming rate, but just one factor can help that rate decline: romance. Romance in a marriage takes communication, concentrated attention and selflessness, all things that can contribute to divorce when taken for granted. Couples can heat up their marriage by getting romantic in simple ways every day, in turn moving them further and further from the possibility of divorce.

You probably hear the popular belief that "all men cheat," on talk and radio shows, television, and even amongst your peers. As a matter of fact, you yourself might even believe it is true. Whether you think all men cheat, some men cheat, or your views are somewhere in-between, the Bible has key evidence to dispute the popular belief altogether. Listen to this 60-second HeartCheck to find out.

What exactly makes you lonely? “Lonely,” according to Merriam Webster’s dictionary, is defined as "being company-less, cut off from other people and/or full of bleak-like feelings." In that case, a definite way to combat loneliness includes doing things that involve others or at least that inspire a sense of inclusion.

Making it past the single life, through the dating experience, and into an exclusive relationship is almost like nearing a marathon finish line. When marriage is just a step or two away and you have already come so far, it is easy to overlook things figuring you can fix them after the wedding—very unwise. Use the commitment or engagement to fix anything broken because a whole new marathon begins once you get married, and it is the longest one you will ever run.

Does the heartbreak still hurt you? Are you struggling to move on from what occurred due to their betrayal? Sometimes we just bask in our heartbreak, without stopping to ask why we are still hurting. So, why are you hurting after all this time? In this 60-second HeartCheck, find out one reason that could be causing your hurt to stay at a standstill.

Failing to treat a little finger cut can end up costing you your finger. The same thing applies to marriage. Of course things like physical, verbal or mental abuse show signs of an ailing marriage—but other seemingly small factors put a marriage in that category too. It is always wise to give your marriage a health checkup or evaluation at least yearly to treat and prevent problems from growing out of control.

When a physical fire goes out at night it is difficult to see anything clearly. The same holds true when your marriage loses its fire (especially in hard times). Romance cures it and it does not have everything to do with spending money. In fact, most romantic endeavors require no or very little money.

We hear all kinds of simple sayings like, "Easy As 1-2-3," and "Sweet As Pie," without really investigating their meaning. However, when it comes to terms like "Fool For Love," we might want to slow down and think about what we are truly saying. Find out why "Fool For Love," is a bad term, and the reason we should stop using it, in this 60-second HeartCheck.

Friendship can become burdensome when it leaves a marital bond at stake. Typically, a friend who contributes positively to your friendship, adds to your other relationships too. For instance, the lending ear of a girlfriend might help you better confront your husband about a sensitive issue. However, marriages often get put in the backseat when a spouse gives a less significant relationship priority. Resolve the risks associated with any such friendship in order to maintain your marital covenant.

Studies show couples who have sex before they get married end up with less pleasurable sex lives compared to those who wait until marriage. Regardless of such useful information, it’s still a real struggle for many people. Usually it’s because they’re more focused on what they can’t do than what they can. So it’s good to know Biblical guidelines like those outlined in 1 Corinthians 7:32-35, but even better when it’s used as a tool to reinforce you positively.

Anybody who has ever been on a few dates most likely can share a story about their worst date. This proves that everyone is not appropriate dating material or prepared to date effectively. The point of dating is to use a process of elimination as a means to find or be found by your future spouse (so make it clear to every date that you are entitled to and do date other people). Consequently, you should never go out with someone carelessly.

If things like prenuptial agreements, dress and tuxedo shopping, or invitations and event planning outweigh a sense of respect for the covenant of marriage, your focus is off. Marriage is too serious a commitment to be downplayed by excitement over the wedding. The wedding is just one day but the marriage is meant to last a lifetime. It is not that the engagement cannot incite celebration—but because engagement precedes marriage, material things never top the list as more important when it comes down to the two.

Men prolong the dating stage more than women, right? Wrong. According to a survey done for Glamour.com by Zoosk.com, 42.1% of the men surveyed said they would make things official after only "a couple of good dates." So, what might that say about the man you are dating if he cannot commit to you?

Despite general assumptions, fraternal love is one of the more common kinds of love experienced. Many think romantic love is more common, but news publications like the New York Times and Huffington Post reports that singles have become a majority. Their findings...

Honeymoon's start a fire in marriage that is not to be put out by the hands of time. Proverbs 5:17-20 tells husbands to always take delight in their wife's body, and for wives to satisfy their husband's with their breasts at all times. Where in the world do people get the idea that the marital spark is meant to flicker out after a while? Oh, right, from "the world." Well, we Christians must not believe as the world believes—especially when it comes to marriage. I found that top-selling authors Bill and Pam Farrel expressed similar beliefs about marital fire in their book Red Hot Monogamy. Therefore, it was only right to interview them about this very topic.

Couples usually pass the most common break-up period after about three to five months, because affections that seem natural earlier on require work to maintain. Relationship-building exercises may be crucial for unmarried couples who have reached the first half-year mark if they want to stay to together. However, exercises specifically designed for building relationships can benefit couples at any time.

If your spouse cheated would you stay? Two-time Grammy-nominated rapper Da' T.R.U.T.H. and his wife Nicole experienced adultery in their marriage first-hand. Emanuel Lambert, also known as Da' T.R.U.T.H, blames himself for his infidelity, yet his wife comes across like a modern day superwoman—determined not to let it shake her foundation. Having considered what I would do and knowing adultery is Biblical grounds for divorce, I could not fathom staying married to an unfaithful spouse. That was until the Lambert's call. I do not condone adultery, but I do think divorce should not always be an automatic response to it.

How do you go from an abusive, controlling, womanizer to a noted relationship and life coach? Tony Gaskins, featured on Oprah and the Tyra Show, can tell you how. He uses his experience to help men and women get to better, healthier love. Because so many people want real love, but don't know how to date in a way that makes it possible, I asked Tony to call in to HeartShape and share his expert insight on dating with purpose. We talked about the top dating mistakes, cheating versus monogamy and so much more. Of course there's no blueprint to a perfect dating life, but I have to say, Tony's tips are pretty close to one.

Since he was twelve years old, Kel Mitchell's been known for playing the funny guy. Many confuse his real life with make-believe. They think he's lived carefree, void of trial and far from pain. He smiles in almost every picture (a trait especially scarce in most men) and it's easy to find people who consider him a positive example (not as easy for most of today’s celebrities). However, after listening to Kel describe his suicidal attempt, past struggles with drug and alcohol use, and details about his divorce, it became clear there was a time when nothing was funny about his life.

When the "Street Runner" video hit YouTube, fans were stirred over more than Eshon Burgundy's lyrical content. Bold white letters spell out "Ex-Porn Addict" across the T-Shirt worn through the entire video. Many could not believe that a man with such righteous lyrics could have battled with such unrighteousness. We spoke to Eshon about his decision to plaster such a strong statement across his chest.

Most people know more singles than married couples. Even the latest Census Bureau data proves it true reporting 96.6 million singles living in America; a number well over the 60.8 million married couples. While it’s a fact that millions live single lives, who knows how many actually experience a healthy one (or if they even understand what that means). Yet and still, it’s crucial to recognize a healthy single life and experience it firsthand.

Former Wall Street analyst Shaunti Feldhahn, is now a best-selling author, speaker, and nationally syndicated columnist—widely recognized for her in-depth research on relationships. One of her very popular books, "For Women Only: What You Need to Know About the Inner Lives of Men," sold over a million copies. I asked Shaunti to speak with me about how men and women can better communicate in love relationships. Our interview made one thing clear, healthy communication has to do with God more than anything else.